Put Your Best Smile Forward Thanks to Cosmetic Dentistry

Put Your Best Smile Forward Thanks to Cosmetic Dentistry

There are several benefits to smiling, including boosting mood and showing that you’re approachable. A beautiful smile has also been linked with landing newer and better job opportunities and personal success. In short, having a brighter smile, matters.

But not everyone feels confident in their smile. This is where cosmetic dentistry can help.

But what is cosmetic dentistry and how can it help you? If you’re interested in improving the look of your smile, keep reading.

What is Cosmetic Dentistry?

Cosmetic dentistry is a field of dentistry that aims in improving the appearance of your teeth, including the gum line. Not only does cosmetic dentistry change the look of your teeth, but it may also aid in improving the function of your teeth as well, resulting in the ability to eat, drink, or speak more comfortably.

There are a few reasons you might want to consider a form of cosmetic dentistry:

• Cracked or broken teeth
• Poorly shaped teeth
• Stained teeth
• Crooked or misaligned teeth
• Missing teeth or teeth that create gaps

All cosmetic dentistry should be performed by a skilled cosmetic dentist, who’s had additional training and years of experience. By fixing some of these issues with cosmetic dentistry, you can have a smile you’re proud of.

What Are The Types of Cosmetic Dentistry?

So now that you know the purpose of cosmetic dentistry, what are some cosmetic dental procedures that are most common? Here are some to consider.

Porcelain Veneers

Veneers are thin shells that cover your tooth entirely. They’re mainly used to shield problems like staining or damage on your teeth or to fill in gaps. Porcelain veneers are incredibly strong and last for many years while blending in with your normal teeth.

Another alternative to porcelain veneers is Bioclear veneers. Bioclear veneers are a more economical choice, and can often be completed in one visit. They’re ideal for filling in small gaps in your teeth called ‘black triangles’ without investing in porcelain veneers.

Dental Implants

People between the ages of 20-64 are losing teeth. As a result, a loss of teeth comes with self-esteem issues and decreased functionality of teeth.

Thankfully dental implants can close that gap. Dental implants are permanent replacement teeth that are fused to your jawbone. Similar to veneers, they’re made to look like your remaining teeth, so no one even knows you have implants.

Crowns

Sometimes decay and damage are so deep in the tooth that it has a darkened appearance or has had a root canal. While the tooth may not need an extraction, it will still need protection to ensure there’s no further damage. This is where crowns come in.

Crowns are a type of protection for the damaged tooth. They lay over the area and look like your regular teeth. Porcelain crowns are strong and are highly recommended.

Bonding

For patients who want to fix minor cosmetic issues like staining, you might want to consider bonding. Bonding is when the cosmetic dentist uses materials to brush over your teeth that conceal staining or other damaged spots. Once the material is brushed on, it’s shaped to match your surrounding teeth and hardened with a light.

Bonding is typically not recommended for people who have chipped or cracked teeth, especially since bonding simply conceals instead of corrects.

Teeth Whitening

Teeth whitening is another economical choice for cosmetic dentistry. It’s often completed in a one-day visit to the dentist, depending on your goals. The dentist will clean your teeth and then apply a whitening agent to your teeth, then harden them with ultraviolet light.

If you don’t have time to sit in the dentist’s chair, ask the dental office if they have take-home whitening kits. These are done at the convenience of your own home and are often more powerful than over-the-counter whitening kits.

Invisalign

Crooked teeth are another common reason people invest in cosmetic dentistry. Thankfully, dental technology has come a long way since metal brackets and wires, with the innovation of Invisalign.

Invisalign works to shift teeth into a straighter position using clear plastic aligners. Due to the clear last, Invisalign is ideal for teenagers and working adults who wish to conceal the fact that they’re having dental treatment. Depending on your case, Invisalign treatment can last a few months to just under two years.

Affordable Cosmetic Dentistry: Cost

In most cases, cosmetic dentistry is affordable. Dental offices want you to have a smile you love, so many of them offer payment plans or no interest to help you with the financial portion of your new smile.

Additionally, sometimes insurance companies may cover a portion of the cost as long as the cosmetic procedure is due to a traumatic event like an injury or an illness. The damage needs to be severe enough to interfere with your life in debilitating ways. Contact your insurance company today to see if your benefits are covered.

However, if the cosmetic procedure is purely for personal purposes, it’s unlikely that insurance will assist.

The cost will be according to the procedure and how severe the case is. For example, one dental will be less expensive than several implants. Professional teeth whitening may cost more than a take-home kit.

But remember: investing money in your smile has a wealth of benefits not only for your self-esteem and confidence but for the health of your mouth as well. Patients who have a healthy smile often have healthier bodies because they limit the bacteria that enters their bloodstream and tooth decay and the damage won’t cause any further problems with the function of your teeth.

Cosmetic Dentistry in San Diego

Cosmetic dentistry is a wonderful solution to help you feel confident and secure in your smile. With many options to cover a wide variety of dental issues that plague your smile, you can be sure that cosmetic dentistry will help you on your journey towards a healthier smile.

Are you looking for a skilled cosmetic dentist in the San Diego area? Dr. David Eshom is an award-winning cosmetic dentist that can assist you with your procedure. Contact us today to schedule a consultation.